Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: minehead

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Exmoor Ponies

From the times of Woolly Mammoths and Sabre Tooth Tigres, ponies existed in the UK. Originally, ponies were well distributed across the land. However, around 10,000 years ago, environmental and other changes resulted in ponies moving to the hills and moors. People started to tame and domesticate them, introducing new bloodlines to their liking. However, Exmoor remained well off the beaten path until relatively recent times. This preserved their ancient lineage, hence reference to the Exmoor Pony as one of the oldest known breeds.

Numbers of Exmoor ponies dwindled to almost nothing around the time of the second world war. During this time, troops used Exmoor as a training ground. Stolen for their meat and ready target practice for soldiers, as few as 50 ponies survived the war. Following the war, a small group of breeders made efforts to preserve the population. Exmoor ponies increased in popularity, with small herds established in various parts of England, even exported to the US and Canada. Presently, although numbers have increased, they are given “endangered” status by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. This indicates estimated numbers at less than 500 in the UK.

It is always a special moment when you come across them on the moors. These photos were taken on the moors above Tarr Steps and on Bossington Hill which overlooks the Bristol Channel and is about five miles out of Minehead in Somerset. Bossington Hill offers a fantastic view down the South Somerset/North Devon coastline and is renowned for its sunsets.

A Day On Exmoor

Our customary day out to Lynton and Lynmouth via Porlock Hill. We were blessed with lovely sunshine and fluffy clouds and had a stunning clear view across The Bristol Channel and along the Somerset/Devon Coastline.

We used the funicular railway to get up to Lynton. The Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and is the highest and the steepest totally water powered railway in the world and is a must for and visitor. Before boarding we went in the Pavilion Cafe for a coffee which was very nice, the man serving on was very friendly to say the least!

On our way back to base we came across a herd of Exmoor ponies and got some lovely pics of them. In the evening we drove up the Moor Road above Minehead and experience an incredible sunset from the top of Bossington Hill.

What a way to end our holiday!

Porlock Hill

Sal, Porlock Hill

Porlock Hill

Clouds over The Bristol Channel

Porlock Hill

Lynmouth

Funicular Railway

Exmoor Ponies

Sunset from Bossington Hill

Exmoor Ponies

Sunset from Bossington Hill

Exford and Withypool, Somerset

This was out last day in Somerset and the sun was shining. We weighed up various options and in the end decided to go on a short drive to visit a couple of villages we had never been to before. The reason was, I didn't fancy doing too much s the next day I had a long journey back up to Yorkshire. I'd previously read good reports of a cafe in Withypool so we combined that with a round trip which took in Exford and Simonsbath as well.

All three villages fell within Exmoor National Park so I hid it in my mind that it would be a good day to go in search of some Exmoor Ponies as well.

Our first post of call was Exford. The centre of the village surrounds a traditional village green, and is home to a post office, general store, car repair shop and youth hostel and is obviously the hub of the area. Signposts led off here, there and everywhere so it was clearly, in the past, an important commercial centre. Add to that there was a couple of old coaching inns that accommodated both past and present travellers.

We enjoyed a quick coffee and an explore before setting off in search of Withypool. I think it was only half a dozen miles down the road and was a smaller version of Exford. It had a village store, cafe and pub so what more could anyone wish for. The cafe certainly lived up to expectations. I had a goats cheese and butternut quiche served with a side salad and crisps and it had obviously been made by the owner of the cafe. It was absolutely gorgeous. Sal wasn't too hungry so just had a toasted teacake and a pot of tea.

After refreshments we had a walk down to the river and it was only there we realised that we were just a couple of miles away from another Somerset favourite, Tarr Steps.

We then carried on our journey to Simonsbath but first made a detour on to Exmoor itself in search of some pony action. Just past the turn off to Tarr Steps and conveniently near to a parking spot, we saw a group of ponies. I gingerly got out of the car with the camera so as not to disturb then but needn't have worried as they were very accommodating and let me take photos of them. My holiday was now complete!

Simonsbath was a bit of a let down after Exford and Withypool so we didn't bother stopping. I don't know how I managed it but we ended up returning to our base via Watersmeet and Lynmouth on a back road I had never been on before. We could really have done without that as it added a fair few miles on to our journey and left us feeling pretty jaded by the end of it.

In the evening I had a walk down to Watchet Harbour for the final time whilst Sal stayed in our holiday home. It was tinged with a bit of sadness of our leaving and also with a bit of apprehension of what was in store for me when I got back home and the start my radiotherapy.

It had been a great holiday though, full of fun, and with good memories to carry with me on my fight against my cancer. Already looking forward to next years visit.

Exford

Withypool

River Barle Withypool

Withypool

River Barle Withypool

Cafe at Withypool

River Barle

Exmoor Ponies

Exmoor Pony

Somerset Randomness

Mainly photos taken around Watchet, Minehead and our day out on The West Somerset Railway. Contrary to local public opinion, both Sal and I loved the new East quay complex built on the dilapidated old East Quay shipyard which was a right mess the last time we stayed. I think its the modern architecture the locals can't get on with but we both liked it. It is used as an arts centre, has some nice independent shops and, more importantly, a cracking little cafe. I believe they also stage concerts on a seasonal basis.

Our visit to Minehead was to do a bit of shopping and to get a parking ticket in the process. Word of advice, always closely check the ticket machine number which your parking app picks up!

The day on the West Somerset Railway was ace and a true step back in time. Unfortunately our timetable was cut short due to a fault on the line which was having to be manually checked, this resulted in us missing our visit to Bishops Lydeard.

They delay did give us time for a coffee, a wander along the front at Minehead and also to have a quick play on the slots before getting the last train back to Watchet.